This is borderline criminal. Frankly, I'm not even sure how it's possible unless the defense was completely incompetent. You could get that many outs vs runs allowing them to hit off a tee.

TOKYO, April 17 (Reuters) - A Japanese high school pleaded for a regional game to be abandoned after surrendering 66 runs in less than two innings, local media reported on Thursday.

The coach of Kawamoto technical high school threw in the towel to spare his pitcher’s arm with his team losing 66-0 with just one batter out in the bottom of the second.

The hapless hurler had already sent down over 250 pitches, allowing 26 runs in the first inning and 40 in the second before Kawamoto asked for mercy.

“At that pace the pitcher would have thrown around 500 pitches in four innings,” Kawamoto’s coach was quoted as saying. “There was a danger he could get injured.”

Opponents Shunshukan were officially credited with a 9-0 victory, giving the scoreline a tinge of respectability for the luckless Kawamoto school. (Writing by Alastair Himmer; Editing by Justin Palmer)

Raisor

04-18-2008, 01:02 PM

Guess they don't have relief pitchers in Japanese HS baseball

RedlegJake

04-18-2008, 01:07 PM

“At that pace the pitcher would have thrown around 500 pitches in four innings,” Kawamoto’s coach was quoted as saying. “There was a danger he could get injured.”

Ya think?

OnBaseMachine

04-18-2008, 01:40 PM

Around here the little league's have a pitch count of 80 I believe.

klw

04-18-2008, 01:45 PM

“At that pace the pitcher would have thrown around 500 pitches in four innings,” Kawamoto’s coach was quoted as saying. “There was a danger he could get injured.”

Ya think?
1. I doubt if he got hurt that it would be an injury that would stop him from making a career out of pitching?

2. Is Jeff Austin pitching in Japan now?

Patrick Bateman

04-18-2008, 01:46 PM

Around here the little league's have a pitch count of 80 I believe.

That's poppycock. You can't even work a sweat up in 80 pitches. Kids need 200+ pitches per game if they want to develop properly. It's just good logic.

PuffyPig

04-18-2008, 01:49 PM

Baker certainly hasn't shown a slow hook this year.

RedlegJake

04-18-2008, 02:30 PM

Around here the little league's have a pitch count of 80 I believe.

Leagues here have an inning limit. 2 for the under 10. three 11-12 y/os. 4 13-15. 48 hrs between appearances. Max 10 innings in a 14 day period, 12 for the 13-15 yos. The problem is its kinda self policing unless you go around counting the other teams innings pitched during tournaments all over the place. Too many coaches care more about winning than protecting the kids.

Matt700wlw

04-18-2008, 08:11 PM

I see Mike Stanton found work...

KronoRed

04-19-2008, 02:59 PM

Wonder if they scored all those runs the right way ;)

redsrule2500

04-19-2008, 07:06 PM

That's....stupid. They should have forfeited the game before that.

Caveat Emperor

04-19-2008, 07:14 PM

That's....stupid. They should have forfeited the game before that.

What, and miss the chance to go for 100?

George Anderson

04-20-2008, 11:18 PM

Any umpire worth his grain in salt won't let a game last that long. I have been in many games like that and if the score gets to be ridiculous I won't hesititate to call a runner who was actually safe out or call a pitch no where near being a strike a strike. No one is going to complain about a call if the score is that lopsided.

Chip R

04-21-2008, 12:52 AM

Any umpire worth his grain in salt won't let a game last that long. I have been in many games like that and if the score gets to be ridiculous I won't hesititate to call a runner who was actually safe out or call a pitch no where near being a strike a strike. No one is going to complain about a call if the score is that lopsided.